In line with the agricultural revolution of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, no fewer than a 160 women, 10 each from the 16 wards of Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have been empowered with the sum of N8 million by the Transition Chairman, Mr. Kingsley Frank, under the “Back-to-Farm” grant for the women to return to their farms.
The agri-business empowerment programme, which held at the Council Secretariat, Ikot Ibritam, also featured the empowerment of some women in tailoring and hairdressing businesses and had the wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, as a special guest.
Speaking at the occasion, the Transition Chairman of Oruk Anam Local Government, Mr. Kingsley Frank, restated his commitment to domesticate the Governor’s ARISE Agenda in the area through agricultural revolution, rural development, infrastructural maintenance, security management, educational advancement and the execution of one project per ward across the 16 wards in the local government area, promising to do more.
Mr. Frank noted that the agribusiness symposium and empowerment programme was put together to empower select beneficiaries across the 16 wards of Oruk Anam, where the women received the sum of N50,000 each, sewing machines, hairdressing kits and wrappers.
In her remarks, the special guest of honour and wife of the state governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, appreciated the Transition Chairman of Oruk Anam and wife, Affiong for the thoughtful gesture of initiating the empowerment programme in support of her pet project, the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA).
Represented by personal aide to the governor on domestics, Ms Ofonime Essien, the first lady described the theme of the event, “Role of Women in Food Security,” as very profound, noting that the role of women in food security, especially in the times and season of food scarcity, cannot be overemphasised.
“Empowering women in agriculture and improving their access to education, technology and markets will not only enhance their own livelihoods but also contribute to increasing food production and security at a global level,” the governor’s wife said.
She encouraged the beneficiaries to invest the grants and tools received in a judicious manner in order to grow their businesses.
Setting the tone earlier, the wife of the Oruk Anam Transition Chairman, Mrs Affiong Frank, stated that about 60 to 80 percent of women produce food consumed in Nigeria, and urged the women to use the funds received to complement the women empowerment component of the Golden Initiative For All, the humanitarian platform of the Governor’s wife, to ensure food sufficiency and security.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of empowerment cash and tools to the beneficiaries, which include professional hair dryers, splint straight hair, professional curling tongs, wrappers, palm fruits seedlings, sewing machines, and other accessories.
The event also featured a four-man panel discussion on the “Role of Women in Food Security” where the Press Secretary to the wife of Governor, Mrs. Uduak Ekong, wife of the Deputy Chief Whip, AKHA, Mrs. Emem Sampson Idiong, among others, spoke and encouraged women on the need to go back to farming to ensure food security in the state.
Presenting a goodwill message, the wife of the honorary special advisor to the governor, Lady Ime Kierian, thanked the wife of the governor for her support to the women of Oruk Anam. She also applauded the Transition Chairman for his deliberate efforts to touch the lives of women in the 16 wards in Oruk Anam with empowerment that will help to improve their lives as well as supporting their husbands.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the women leader of Oruk Anam Ward 2, Mrs Inamke Friday, with excitement over the empowerment, appreciated the Transition Chairman of the Council and wife for equipping them with tools and cash for their economic emancipation.
